In this episode of Trash the Checklist, we sit down with The Urban Counselor, Dana Lewis of Whole Life Center Services, to explore how therapy can be a powerful tool for men—especially Black men—far beyond crisis moments. Dana, a Black Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), brings a wealth of experience and cultural understanding to his practice, helping clients feel seen, heard, and respected.

Together, we discuss why waiting until “something is wrong” can hold men back from living more fulfilled, balanced lives—and how therapy can instead be a proactive space for growth, self-awareness, and healing. We also touch on the importance of representation in mental health care, and how Black LCSWs are uniquely positioned to help dismantle stigma and create safe, affirming environments for clients navigating the intersections of race, masculinity, and mental health.

Whole Life Center Services, where Dana practices, is dedicated to providing holistic, culturally responsive counseling that addresses the mind, body, and spirit. Their team supports individuals, couples, and families in building healthier relationships and more resilient communities.

Join us as we unpack myths about therapy, explore the cultural barriers that keep many men from seeking support, and discover how redefining strength through mental health care can transform lives.

Where to find us:
https://www.facebook.com/TTCLPodcast
@dr.Yo on Instagram for Yolanda
@trash_the_checklist_podcast on Instagram

How to reach us directly for questions or to share your own ideas for an episode:
trashthechecklist@gmail.com

Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, or wherever you choose to listen to your podcast content.

There are no rules and no timelines that can determine your success or happiness. So go ahead and Trash the checklist!

If you're like the hosts of Trash the Checklist Podcast, then you probably grew up inundated with information about how bad marijuana was for you. But within the past 10 years, the research and some of the social taboo around marijuana use, especially for medicinal purposes, has led to some great discoveries about how the plant can benefit so many people in so many way.

Trash the Checklist welcomes Ms. Amber Demby, of Ash and Ember dispensary in Centreville, MD to take them on the beginnings of a journey to understanding and respecting the ways that the plant can be good. #CBD #MedicalMarijuana #LegalWeed #PlantBased #RemoveTheStigma #HowHigh

Where to find us:
https://www.facebook.com/TTCLPodcast
@dr.Yo on Instagram for Yolanda
@trash_the_checklist_podcast on Instagram

How to reach us directly for questions or to share your own ideas for an episode:
trashthechecklist@gmail.com

Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, or wherever you choose to listen to your podcast content.

There are no rules and no timelines that can determine your success or happiness. So go ahead and Trash the checklist!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Yay!! But beyond being "aware", what other actionable steps can and should we be taking to make sure our own lives aren't continuously interrupted with this disease? 

Tiffany and Yolanda have mothers who have had breast cancer. They're sure many of their listening audience has some experience with a family member, friend, or co-worker having to endure breast cancer, so let's talk about what's going on.

In this episode, learn about risk factors and of course, how to correct course if you find yourself or someone you care about, on more direct path toward the disease. Guys, this is for you too! Beyond keeping an eye out for the women in your lives, what are you doing for you?

Where to find us:
https://www.facebook.com/TTCLPodcast
@dr.Yo on Instagram for Yolanda
@trash_the_checklist_podcast on Instagram

How to reach us directly for questions or to share your own ideas for an episode:
trashthechecklist@gmail.com

Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, or wherever you choose to listen to your podcast content.

There are no rules and no timelines that can determine your success or happiness. So go ahead and Trash the checklist!

The thrill of the open road and the vastness of the world called this top-tier professional, Melanie LeGrande, to leave a great career and engage in the excitement of a travel adventure. Check out Mel on the Map's story of how she came to make the decision to call it quits at her job and to embark on a 3 1/2 month trip that has impacted how she sees herself. For all the "I can't" folks, the "I don't know" folks, and the "ain't no way" folks, Mel has an encouraging story that can inspire each of us to take our very own adventure. 

@Mel_onthemap 
#GreatResignation #RoadTrippin #BlackGirlsTravel #TrashtheChecklist

Where to find us:
https://www.facebook.com/TTCLPodcast
@dr.Yo on Instagram for Yolanda
@trash_the_checklist_podcast on Instagram

How to reach us directly for questions or to share your own ideas for an episode:
trashthechecklist@gmail.com

Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, or wherever you choose to listen to your podcast content.

There are no rules and no timelines that can determine your success or happiness. So go ahead and Trash the checklist!

In this episode Yolanda and Tiffany share what they were doing during their spring/summer break and tease season 3 episodes. The upcoming season will have guests that talk about everything from unique marriage arrangements, cross-country travel, sexology, the use of cannabis, the single life of confident women, getting your ideas to production, and another "men takeover" episode. Expect more mature topics, but focused on how these different life choices can lead to individual happiness. That's the goal.
#UnconventionalRelationships #GreatResignation #LoveTravel #TheYoniverse #HowHigh

Where to find us:
https://www.facebook.com/TTCLPodcast
@dr.Yo on Instagram for Yolanda
@trash_the_checklist_podcast on Instagram

How to reach us directly for questions or to share your own ideas for an episode:
trashthechecklist@gmail.com

Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, or wherever you choose to listen to your podcast content.

There are no rules and no timelines that can determine your success or happiness. So go ahead and Trash the checklist!

Yolanda and Tiffany take a moment to evaluate how far they've come since 2021's Financial Literacy Awareness month. And they admit, they're coming along, but have a way to go.  But they know they aren't the only ones who find dealing with wealth and finances to be a challenge. Thankfully, there are people like Jayne Ellegard, the founder of Ellegant Wealth, who have taken the step to fill in the gap for women where their finances are concerned.

Jayne has over 30 plus years of experience in the financial management world and has brought her expertise and wealth building philosophy to her own company to coach and help women pursue their visions for financial happiness. She uses her own "Six Pillars" approach to breaking down many of the barriers that women often have to breach in order to feel empowered about their own money. #GetMoney #FinancialLiteracyMonth #EllegantWealth #TrashTheChecklist
www.ellegantwealth.com

Where to find us:
https://www.facebook.com/TTCLPodcast
@dr.Yo on Instagram for Yolanda
@trash_the_checklist_podcast on Instagram

How to reach us directly for questions or to share your own ideas for an episode:
trashthechecklist@gmail.com

Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, or wherever you choose to listen to your podcast content.

There are no rules and no timelines that can determine your success or happiness. So go ahead and Trash the checklist!

In case you hadn't noticed, the hosts of Trash the Checklist took a pause from recording episodes of the podcast. But, like the committed ladies they are, they had to get back to it. In this episodes the hosts discuss the impact of being stressed and overwhelmed on one's physical health and offer some realistic strategies that ANYONE can employ to combat the struggles when the stress of daily life seems like it's just too much.

Join them in the discussion and feel free to share your ahas and ideas for taking care of yourself when there's just too much going on and you gotta give yourself permission to take a break.

Find us on Facebook at Trash the Checklist Podcast, on Instagram or you can email us at trashthechecklist@gmail.com.
#LetItFlow #ToniBraxton #RaheemDevaughn #CalmApp #DisTewMuch #AboutFaces #MassageEnvy #Superwomen

Where to find us:
https://www.facebook.com/TTCLPodcast
@dr.Yo on Instagram for Yolanda
@trash_the_checklist_podcast on Instagram

How to reach us directly for questions or to share your own ideas for an episode:
trashthechecklist@gmail.com

Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, or wherever you choose to listen to your podcast content.

There are no rules and no timelines that can determine your success or happiness. So go ahead and Trash the checklist!

Love is in the air for many people during the month of February. Whether you are married, in a relationship, recently out of one, or ready to begin anew, this episode with marriage coach, Mrs. Laura Gethers is for you! Gethers is the founder of Love Harder Marriage Coaching and utilizes strategies that help couples see that there's no "I" in "Team." She offers practical strategies for those seeking the tools to build and maintain a healthy, loving, long-lasting relationship/marriage.

Join the ladies for straight talk about the before and during stages of a positive marriage. Laugh with them as they share their own challenges while on the journey. You DO NOT have to be married to get great information from this episode. In fact, it may help you even more if you've not yet taken the plunge into matrimony.

See why we need to Trash the Checklist when it comes to making our relationships happier places to be. #TrashtheChecklist #LoveHarder #LoveAndMarriage #CouplesTherapy #RelationshipCoaching #BCG #BlackLove

You can learn more about Mrs. Laura Gethers at www.lauragethers.com

Where to find us:
https://www.facebook.com/TTCLPodcast
@dr.Yo on Instagram for Yolanda
@trash_the_checklist_podcast on Instagram

How to reach us directly for questions or to share your own ideas for an episode:
trashthechecklist@gmail.com

Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, or wherever you choose to listen to your podcast content.

There are no rules and no timelines that can determine your success or happiness. So go ahead and Trash the checklist!